Mounting things on roof w/o drilling a hole

[stev]

Hi, I am new here.
Is there a way to "glue" things like threaded studs to the exterior surface of a
fiberglass gel coat RV?
And that is real strong.

I would really hate to drill a hole.
I was thinking of installing a solar panel to the roof.

Thanks

[Thomas G.]

There are some awesome very high bonding (VHB ) double faced tapes available, but you need to make sure that you have enough surface area to withstand the forces that you will put in it.

Norm installed a film type solar panel to his roof with a similar tape. You can do a search on this site for it.

Amazon.com: very high bonding tape

[Jim Bennett]

Using VHB tape will work great. It is what Escape uses for their solar panel mounts. LINK

[Jim Bennett]

Just a wee bit slow today. LOL

[john warren]

they make special bolts with a head like a big flat washer. these give huge area to glue to things. i'm sure for a solar panel it would work fine. not sure if i would hang a canoe ore the like from gell coat.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by john warren

they make special bolts with a head like a big flat washer. these give huge area to glue to things. i'm sure for a solar panel it would work fine. not sure if i would hang a canoe ore the like from gell coat.

Elevator bolts. https://www.google.com/search?num=10....1.sGToa-R6zH0

[honda03842]

I've used two different methods. The first is very high bond strength tape. It's under "New Solar Install' and I've used those 3M wall clips that are removable to mount an awning. Both techniques worked very well.

[stev]

Thanks everybody.

I like the idea of using the elevator bolts.
What kind of adhesive would you use?
Would you "buff up" the Gel Coat before?

Also thanks for the links to solar panels.
I would like to add solar panels.

But I am also going to order some of that double sided sticky tape, just to give it a try. Whats the best one?

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by stev

Thanks everybody.

I like the idea of using the elevator bolts.
What kind of adhesive would you use?
Would you "buff up" the Gel Coat before?

For adhesive, I'd look at 3M 5200 marine adhesive. Depending in the load, you may tear out of the fiberglass. A bigger footprint is better.

Also thanks for the links to solar panels.
I would like to add solar panels.

But I am also going to order some of that double sided sticky tape, just to give it a try. Whats the best one?

I'd read the specification sheets on the 3M site to determine which one is best for your application.

[stev]

Thanks, I am mainly thinking of adding 1 or 2 solar panels.
I am close to AM Solar. They specialize in RV Solar.
They have a web site and sell mounting brackets/ and the solar panels, but I don't want to put holes in my roof.
AM Solar comes highly recommended.

My roof is really really strong. When I walk on it, can jump up and down.
But can't say for sure how thick the fiberglass is.

But I like the idea of the elevator bolts. Thanks... was new to me.

[stev]

Something like this. You would be able to tilt solar panels, I think.
How would you suggest mounting to roof? thanks..

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by stev

Something like this. You would be able to tilt solar panels, I think.
How would you suggest mounting to roof? thanks..

I'd use two pieces of aluminum about 1/8" thick and as wide as the foot of the mounting bracket and long enough to go between two of the feet. I'd countersink stainless steel bevel headed screws in the aluminum with the threaded ends sticking up and bolt the feet to the aluminum strip. Then I'd use VHB tape to bond the aluminum to the roof.

When the panels are obsolete or damaged, you will be able to take the mounts off without damaging the roof.

[stev]

Great idea Tom... thanks..
Would you "sand" some of the gel coat before?
Would sanding make for a better bond or not?

Once the VHB tape is stuck down... say in the years to come,
can it ever be removed from my fiberglass roof?
Like with a solvent or anything?
Or using a razor blade to remove?

[honda03842]

Sanding?

When I used VHB tape to hold my panels down I didn't do any prep other than wipe off the dust. My tape went down on Red Maxx Pro 3 and there have been no issues in a year. In retrospect I might have wiped off the Red Maxx but did not.

[stev]

By sanding..
I mean to "ruff up" the slick finish of the gel coat.

What VHB tape did you use? Whats the best?

I know some one that is going to refinish his MH using that Red Maxx stuf.

[Thomas G.]

Originally Posted by stev

Great idea Tom... thanks..
Would you "sand" some of the gel coat before?
Would sanding make for a better bond or not?

Once the VHB tape is stuck down... say in the years to come,
can it ever be removed from my fiberglass roof?
Like with a solvent or anything?
Or using a razor blade to remove?

I'd follow 3M's directions to the letter. My inclination would be to have the surface extremely clean and oil free, but not sanded.

I believe that the tape can be removed with mono filament line, using it to cut the tape. Application of heat would probably help, too.

http://solutions.3mindia.co.in/3MCon...bute=ImageFile

[bicklebok]

have a look at eternabond double sided tape. It's good stuff! I used the single sided eternabond tape to seal holes in the roof of an aluminum roof camper Im restoring and it worked like a charm. It's very strong.

[stev]

Again thanks.

I was in Lowes.
They sell elevator bolts.
But were only in that black steel
I would imagine SS or plated would be better.

[honda03842]

I was out looking at the roof and took the following picture to show what more than a year on the roof looks like. The panels have been thru 3-4 sand storms, 2 hail storms, 2 snow falls, Yuma sun, and and a loop of the USA.

They seem well attached to the roof of our Scamp 16, no difference since the first day they were attached.

Also the thru hull boat fitting used for the wires has never leaked.

[Paul Chet]

H Norm,
Thats a very nice, low-profile set up you have there! I am going to be mounting my new solar set up exactly as you have - VHB for the panel and just one hole through the roof for the wiring ...

Would you mind posting a link to the thru hull fitting you used and if you would recommend a different one in hindsight or are happy with what you used?
Thanks a bunch!
-Paul C